Memorial guest book holder



y 7, 1964 M. G. sTucKY ETAL 3,139,596

MEMORIAL GUEST BOOK HOLDER Filed Oct. 9, 1961 Ill/II/II/I/IIII/IMI/IIIIIMIIIII/I INV EN TORS MABEL G. STUCKY By HAROLD M. BALZER ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,139,696 IVEMORIAL GUEST BOOK HOLDER Mabel G. Stucky and Harold M. Balzer, Buhler, Kans. Filed Oct. 9, 1961, Ser. No. 143,761 4 Claims. (Cl. 45-60) This invention relates to holder means and more particularly to means to support and hold a book or the like. Still more specifically the invention relates to means for supporting and holding a memorial guest book or the like at a grave site.

Various types of holder means are known to the prior art and include support means for various types of stands which are permanently or removably mounted. The prior art devices do not provide suitable holder means whereby a guest book or the like can be held in elevated position and is constructed to display the article received therein, such as a memorial guest book. Furthermore, the prior art devices do not provide means whereby the article means therein can be covered and protected from the elements.

In accordance with the present invention, new holder means are provided which includes means constructed and adapted to support and hold therein article means for keeping a record. Support means are desirably provided with the article receiving means to position same in elevated position with the article receiving means being constructed to display the article means therein.

In a preferred specific embodiment of the invention, a memorial guest book holder or the like is provided which includes a hollow book-shaped member having a lid and a base which are hingedly secured together at one side thereof and preferably with the top and bottom thereof overhanging the other side and the ends thereof. The lid and the base preferably have mating tapered edges which slope outwardly and downwardly from the interior of the member and prevent the ingress of moisture into the bookshaped member. Anchor means are preferably secured to the other side of the lid and base adjacent one end of the member and project inwardly into the member. An elongated relatively fine helical spring is provided and secured in its end portions to the anchors and is stretched when the lid or top of the book-shaped member is opened to engage and hold an article therein. A plurality of relatively small and spaced apertures are desirably provided in the bottom of the base portion of the member which form air vents and prevent the accumulation of moisture from condensation, etc. within the device which might be detrimental to the article therein. A mounting stud, which is preferably cylindrical and integrally formed on the bottom of the base, projects therefrom with the outer end portion of the stud being reduced in diameter and forming a ledge or step. A tubular mounting shaft telescopically receives in one end portion the outer end portion of the mounting stud and engages the step or ledge thereon and the other end portion of the shaft terminates in a relatively sharp point for driving same into the ground. The holder is constructed and adapted to receive a guest book or the like within the book-shaped member with the spr ng being positioned across the guest book when the lid portion is opened to hold the pages of the book in position and with the lid or top being closable to protect the book during inclement weather, etc.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide new holder means.

Another object of the invention is to provide new holder means which are substantially weather proof to prevent the ingress and retention of liquid or moisture therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide new holder means constructed to receive and retain therein article means with means on said holder means to engage and hold said article means in position when said holder means is opened.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new guest book holder particularly constructed to receive and hold therein a memorial guest book or the like in elevated position and having spring means therewith to hold the pages down when the holder is open.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new holder means which functions as a grave side marker and as a guest book holder.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following discussion and description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred specific embodiment of the guest book holder of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross section view on a reduced scale taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross section view with the lid or top of the holder open showing the spring in holding position on an article therein.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross section view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial isometric view showing the preferred hinge construction for attaching the lid and base portions of the holder of the invention.

The following is a discussion and description of a preferred specific embodiment of the new memorial guest book holder of the invention, such being made with reference to the drawings whereon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/ or structure. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the preferred specific embodiment of the memorial guest book holder of the invention is shown generally at 10 and includes a hollow book-shaped member shown generally at 12 and including a lid 14 and a base 16 which are hingedly secured together at one side 17 thereof by suitable hinge means. A preferred construction of the hinge means is best illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings and includes two projecting members 18 and 20 on base 16 and a single projecting member 22 on lid 14, the projecting members 18 and 20 having socket-like members 24 and 26 respectively formed thereon which receive a spherical or cylindrical member 28 on the projecting member 22. Other suitable hinge means can be used if desired.

The hinged side of the book-shaped member 12 is preferably shaped or constructed so as to resemble the closed side of a book and the other side 30 and the ends 32 and 34 of the book-shaped member are preferably provided with fine grooves or the like 35 running longitudinally therealong to resemble the edges of a book, such being best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The top 36 and bottom 38 of the book-shaped member preferably overhang the side 30 and ends 32 and 34 of the device, such resembling a common book or the like and additionally'serving to prevent rain, snow and the like from entering the interior of the member. Preferably, the lid 14 and base 16 of member 12 are provided with mating tapered edges as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the edges 40 and 42 extending along the sides 17 and 30 and ends 32 and 34 and meeting in mating relation and sloping outwardly and downwardly from the interior of the member to prevent ingress of dust, moisture from snow, rain and the like, etc.

An anchor or the like 44, FIGS. 3 and 4, is secured to the side 39 of the lid 14 and projects inwardly into the hollow of member 12. A similar anchor 46 is secured to side 30 of base 16 and also projects inwardly into the member 12 and preferably the anchors 4-4 and 46 are longitudinally aligned or positioned one above the other.

A relatively long and preferably fine helical spring 48 is preferably provided and is secured in its end portions to the anchors 44 and 46. The spring 48 will be relaxed and lie loosely in the member 12 when the lid portion 14 thereof is closed as best illustrated in FIG. 4 and such will be stretched by opening the lid 14 to the position shown in FIG. 3.

A plurality of relatively small openings or apertures 50 are preferably provided in the bottom 38 of the base 16 so as to prevent accumulation of moisture from condensation which might occur as a result of changing weather conditions and which will also serve to remove any moisture received therein when lid 16 is open or for other reasons. 7

A mounting stud or the like 52 is provided and such is preferably integrally formed with the bottom 38 of base 16 and projects outwardly therefrom and desirably at an angle as shown in FIG. 2. Mounting stud 52 is preferably cylindrical as shown With the outer end portion 54 thereof being reduced in diameter and forming a step or ledge 56. A tubular shaft 58 is preferably provided and telescopically receives in one end portion the end portion 54 of the stud 52 and engages the ledge or shoulder 56. The other end portion of the shaft 58 is preferably cut at an angle or otherwise shaped to provide a relatively sharp point 6'!) for driving same into the ground. The shaft 53 is thus easily removable and mountable, permitting storage and shipping of the holder in parts or sections.

The preferred use of the holder means of the invention is at the grave side and for this use a guest book or the like 62 of the usual and common construction is provided and is positioned within the hollow of book-shaped member 12 Book 62 can be clamped or otherwise secured in position, if desired. The lid 14 can be opened as shown in FIG. 3 and the book 62 can also be opened so that guests at the ceremony can sign the book 62 with the spring 48 being stretched across the pages of the book 62 so as to prevent blowing or inadvertent turning of the pages. If desired a common pen 64 can be positioned within the hollow of the member 12 for use by the guests in signing the book 62 and if desired such can be permanently secured therein by the use of a chain or the like.

If desired, suitable markings, embellishments, mottoes and the like can be provided on the outside of the top 36 of lid 14, such being indicated at 66 in the drawings. The device can also serve as a grave side marker and then suitable notation as to the name of the deceased, dates of birth and death, etc. can be provided on the top 36.

The entire holder structure is preferably constructed of suitable durable materials, such as aluminum, plastics, etc. and may be covered, painted, etc. if desired. An aluminum material is preferred since such is not only weather proof and will not rust but is heavy enough so that the lid portion 14 will not tend to blow open. The device can be of any suitable size and shape, depending upon the size and shape of the guest book or other article to be received therein, requirements as to markings or writings on the top thereof, etc.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred specific embodiment thereof, it will be sides and said ends and sloping outwardly and downwardly from the interior of said member, an anchor secured to said other side of said lid adjacent one end of said member and projecting inwardly into said member, another anchor on said other side of said base projecting inwardly into said member and positioned beneath said first-named anchor, a relatively long helical spring secured in its end portions to said anchors, a plurality of relatively small and spaced apertures in said bottom of said base portion of said member forming air vents, a cylindrical and integrally formed mounting stud on said bottom of said base of said member and projecting therefrom, the outer end portion of said mounting stud being reduced in diameter and forming a ledge, and a tubular mounting shaft telescopically receiving in one end portion said outer end portion of said mounting stud and engaging said ledge, the other end portion of said shaft terminating in a relatively sharp point for driving same into the ground, said holder being constructed and adapted to receive a guest book or the like within said book-shaped member with said spring being positioned across said guest book when said lid portion is opened to hold the pages of said book in position.

2. A memorial guest book holder or the like comprising, in combination, a hollow book-shaped member having a lid and a base hingedly secured together, said lid and said base of said member having mating tapered edges meeting intermediate the sides and the ends and sloping outwardly and downwardly from the interior of said member, anchor means on the inside of said lid and said base, spring means secured in the end portions to said anchor means and positionable across a book or the like when said lid is opened, a mounting stud projecting from the bottom of said base, a shaft secured in one end portion to said stud and being relatively sharp in the other end portion for driving same into the ground, said holder being constructed and adapted to receive a guest book or the like therein with said spring engaging and holding same when said holder is open.

3. A memorial guest book holder or the like comprising, in combination, a hollow book-shaped member having a lid and a base hingedly secured together, said lid and said base of said member having mating complementary edge portions therebetween adapted to effectively seal out weathering elements and the like from the interior of said member, anchor means on said lid and said base, elongated flexible means secured to the end portions of said anchor means and positionable across a book or the like when said lid is opened, a mounting stud projecting from the bottom of said base, a shaft secured in one end portion to said stud and being relatively sharp in the other end portion to drive same into the ground, said holder being constructed and adapted to receive a guest book or the like therein with said flexible means engaging and holding same when said holder is open.

4. A memorial guest book holder or the like comprising, in combination, a hollow book-shaped member having a lid and a base hingedly secured together, said lid and said base of said member having mating complementary edge portions therebetween adapted to effectively seal out weathering elements and the like from the interior of said member, one of said lid and said base having anchor means thereon, elongated flexible means secured to said anchor means and positionable across a book or 6 the like when said lid is open, mounting means on said References Cited in the file of this patent base, and shaft means having means at one end portion UNITED STATES PATENTS engageable with said mounting means on said base to mount said member in spaceed relation to the ground 1597573 Blue 1926 and mounting means in the other end portion to mount 5 1362562 Aldeen et a1 June 1932 said shaft substantially vertical relative the horizontal, 2104072 Carr 1938 said holder being constructed and adapted to receive a gigi i g guest book or the like therein Wlth said flexlble means 2,967,374 Belcher Jan. 10, 1961 engaging and holding same when said holder is opened. 

1. A MEMORIAL GUEST BOOK HOLDER COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A HOLLOW BOOK-SHAPED MEMBER HAVING A LID AND A BASE HINGEDLY SECURED TOGETHER AT ONE SIDE THEREOF WITH THE TOP AND BOTTOM THEREOF OVERHANGING THE OTHER SIDE AND THE ENDS THEREOF, SAID LID AND SAID BASE OF SAID MEMBER HAVING MATING TAPERED EDGES MEETING INTERMEDIATE SAID SIDES AND SAID ENDS AND SLOPING OUTWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY FROM THE INTERIOR OF SAID MEMBER, AN ANCHOR SECURED TO SAID OTHER SIDE OF SAID LID ADJACENT ONE END OF SAID MEMBER AND PROJECTING INWARDLY INTO SAID MEMBER, ANOTHER ANCHOR ON SAID OTHER SIDE OF SAID BASE PROJECTING INWARDLY INTO SAID MEMBER AND POSITIONED BENEATH SAID FIRST-NAMED ANCHOR, A RELATIVELY LONG HELICAL SPRING SECURED IN ITS END PORTIONS TO SAID ANCHORS, A PLURALITY OF RELATIVELY SMALL AND SPACED APERTURES IN SAID BOTTOM OF SAID BASE PORTION OF SAID MEMBER FORMING AIR VENTS, A CYLINDRICAL AND INTEGRALLY FORMED MOUNTING STUD ON SAID BOTTOM OF SAID BASE OF SAID MEMBER AND PROJECTING THEREFROM, THE OUTER END PORTION OF SAID MOUNTING STUD BEING REDUCED IN DIAMETER AND FORMING A LEDGE, AND A TUBULAR MOUNTING SHAFT TELESCOPICALLY RECEIVING IN ONE END PORTION SAID OUTER END PORTION OF SAID MOUNTING STUD AND ENGAGING SAID LEDGE, THE OTHER END PORTION OF SAID SHAFT TERMINATING IN A RELATIVELY SHARP POINT FOR DRIVING SAME INTO THE GROUND, SAID HOLDER BEING CONSTRUCTED AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A GUEST BOOK OR THE LIKE WITHIN SAID BOOK-SHAPED MEMBER WITH SAID SPRING BEING POSITIONED ACROSS SAID GUEST BOOK WHEN SAID LID PORTION IS OPENED TO HOLD THE PAGES OF SAID BOOK IN POSITION. 